The Benefits of Silicone Oil to Protect Healthy Tissue in Plaque Brachytherapy Radiation

Sixteen years ago, we published our findings that silicone oil, a substance that is used to repair retinal detachments can be used to shield radiation from healthy non-tumor parts of the eye, because it is denser than the vitreous humor that fills the eye. Using silicone oil during ocular melanoma treatment is a standard of care treatment at UCLA, Stein Eye Institute. At the time of brachytherapy plaque placement, we also replace the vitreous humor with silicone oil. This limits the radiation exposure to healthy tissues while still appropriately treating the ocular melanoma. Silicone oil placed in the eye during brachytherapy is one of the only ways we can reduce the radiation exposure and improve vision in eyes that must have an ocular melanoma treated. Listen to learn more about this technique, how it helps and how it is slowly being adopted by other centers other than UCLA. Get your copy of the one-page Ocular Melanoma: Start Here Guide, it will be emailed to you immediately. Welcome to Finding Your Way with Ocular Melanoma, a guide to understanding everything there is to know about your experience with this rare cancer. Learn through the lens of my knowledge and clinical experience as a physician expert and passionate patient advocate. The more you know about ocular melanoma, the better you will do, and the better you will live. Let's go! For Tara McCannel's resources (including webinar links and link to my book!), visit my website: https://seyhart.com/ocularmelanoma The content shared on the Finding Your Way with Ocular Melanoma podcast is for informational and educational purposes only and does not constitute medical advice. The information provided must not be used as a substitute for professional medical advice, diagnosis, or treatment. As a listener, you are responsible for your own health-related decisions and must consider consulting with a healthcare professional for personalized medical advice.  Tara McCannel MD PhD is a an ocular oncologist, vitreoretinal surgeon and co-founder of Seyhart Wellness. She is also the host of the Mind Body MD podcast where she shares her passion for holistic health and wellness.